EU Sets CO2 Emission Limits for Big Trucks

The European Union has set proposed goals for lowering carbon dioxide emissions from heavy-duty commercial trucks 30% by 2030 compared to this year’s levels, Bloomberg News reports.

The European Union has set proposed goals for lowering carbon dioxide emissions from heavy-duty commercial trucks 30% by 2030 compared to this year’s levels, Bloomberg News reports.

The EU also set an interim goal to reduce CO₂ emissions 15% between 2019 and 2025. The draft law is now moving through the 28-nation European Parliament.

European truckmakers, represented through industry trade group ACEA, say they endorse lower CO₂ emission caps. But they fret that the timetable imposed by the EU’s rules will be a major challenge.

ACEA Secretary General Erik Jonnaert says the timetable will force a significant shift to all-electric and fuel cell-powered trucks. But he questions the ability of EU members to build the necessary infrastructure to recharge or refuel such fleets within the next few years.

The EC proposed the CO₂ targets for heavy trucks last May. The goals were endorsed by the EU’s member nations in December. But ACEA’s Jonnaert cautions that the standards being adopted rely on a baseline CO₂ emission that has not been specified.

The EU legislation further directs the European Commission by 2022 to develop and propose additional CO₂ targets that would take effect after 2030, Bloomberg says.